Non-Fiction
Books of the non-fiction variety.
An exploration of the benefits of interacting with strangers, revealing how 'minimal social interactions' can offer a substantial sense of belonging and happiness.
A source book for Industrial style published in the late 70's. It explores the use of readymade, industrial materials in a residential setting. Topics include sail shades, rubber mat flooring, aluminum blinds, Speed-Rail, and other hallmarks of the Industrial aesthetic.
An account featured in the December 1958 edition of the Explorers Journal, recounting Tom Slick Jr.'s expedition to the upper Arun Valley of the Himalayas in search of evidence of the Yeti's existence.
In 1835, Pugin significantly raised his profile with the book 'Contrasts: Or, A Parallel between the Noble Edifices of the Middle Ages and Corresponding Buildings of the Present Day', which compared the virtues of medieval society to the vices of modern society.
A guidebook by Arthur Frommer that inaugurated the age of budget travel.
Late to the game on this one, currently being read by Philip Stockton.
A book that explores the intelligence of octopuses and their difficulties in captivity, highlighting their challenge for study.
New collection by Arthur Krystal that is on the nightstand of the newsletter's author.
This book convincingly describes power plants and telecommunications systems as “care at scale,” weaves in autobiography and first-person reportage, and theorizes an exciting energy-abundant future.
Praised as a model of ambitious, idea-driven autobiographical writing.
Eagerly awaited by the author and expected to be found on Toronto indie-bookstore shelves.
A comprehensive guide on homebrewing, for beginners and advanced brewers.
A health care handbook for practitioners in remote areas.
A series of books on folk culture and survival skills.
A guide on how to butcher livestock and game.
Mentioned by the author as a recommended read alongside The Source of Self Regard as works by Black female authors.
Currently on the author's nightstand, recommended as part of the works by Black female authors.
A book chronicling how electronic music conquered America.
A book about how a mapping exercise helped slow a cholera outbreak in London.
Danny Meyer details the philosophy and 'operating system' behind his successful Union Square Hospitality Group, highlighting the importance of hospitality in business.
A collection of archives from the weekly Substack, Snake, which covers furniture and interior design, collecting well-designed items and offering reportage/investor profiles on brands, interviews, and essays.
A book by Russell Davies about how interestingness isn't something you are, it's something you do.
A book by Shain Shapiro discussing the impact of music on urban spaces and how it can enhance city life.
A book by Will Guidara about the power of hospitality.
The book Jenni Dawes has recommended the most over the past year. It fuses philosophy, productivity, mindful practices, and provides an entirely new perspective on life and how we spend our time.
A book that examines the relationship between culture and human behavior, using literature, case studies, and academic work to illustrate the ways culture influences actions and societal dynamics.
An essential and fascinating history of electronic music written from a technologist’s perspective, published in 1997 and now out of print. It remains the most comprehensive book on the field.
Recommended reading by the interviewee, focusing on the topic of friendship.
A big, big format catalog that pointed to resources to show how to do all different kinds of things, from astrology to midwifery to leathercrafting and more. It's based on the Emersonian idea of self-reliance.
A journal designed for logging workouts, nutrition, sleep, and hydration, originally developed by a military team for effective physical journaling.
Mark Vanhoenacker's most recent book, called 'a love song to cities the world over' by the Wall Street Journal.
Mark Vanhoenacker's first book, described by the New York Times as 'a superb chronicle'.
Oral history of the Creative Artists Agency (CAA).
A book that explores the impact of motherhood on a woman's sense of time and self, described as a compelling read for its accurate portrayal.
A seminal book that explores how metaphors shape the way we understand the world and communicate.
A candid memoir by real estate mogul Sam Zell, sharing insights from his successful and unconventional approach to business.
A collection of essays that illustratively discusses the nuances of midlife and motherhood.
A book by Dale Hope about the history of Aloha shirts.
A travel guide by Wildsam for planning trips in the Big Sur area.
A new book about to be started by the writer, described as by another smart pal, Monica Parker.
A book by Sabyl Ghoussoub that won the Goncourt high school student award. Laëtitia Eido praises it for its deep introspection and questioning of global and world issues in a deeply human way.
A photography book by Charles Fréger focusing on European traditional costumes and celebrations.
A guide on how to make new friends by hosting small parties, based on the experience of hosting hundreds of gatherings.
Mindy Seu's first book, gathering three decades of online activism and net art.
A collection that includes Mindy Seu's essay 'The Metaverse is a Contested Territory'.
An upcoming book by Chris Wallace, focusing on Peter Beard.
A book about the lives of queer Nigerian women.
A book where Nick Cave reflects on the loss of his son, offering insights into grief and the process of finding meaning in loss.
Chronicles the stories of over 30 companies that are using their business model to create environmental and social impact.
A book re-read by the author annually, emphasizing the importance of slowing down.
A relaxing and inspiring gardening program hosted by Monty Don.
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A guide on bread baking focusing on the fundamentals of artisan bread and pizza.
Originally published in 1984, Subway Art is the ultimate documentation of the graffiti art movement in NYC during the 1980s.
A book by Tom Blake about surfing, cited in the research for a term paper about the sport.
Recommended reading, famous but not widely read according to the author. It is not clear it this is the actual title they meant to reference.
A book about NYC, aids and the politics of the art world, and a forthcoming book by Rhoda Tchokokam, Sensibles - A history of French R&B.
The book outlines the organization of neighborhood shop-owner collectives in Tokyo to protect the energy and community of sometimes centuries-old neighborhoods amidst the city's rapid development.
Peter Pomerantsev's dream-like narrative of working in television in Moscow in the early 2000s, exploring the surreal aspects of the Russian media landscape.
A book by Hugh Eakin about the slow recognition and appreciation of modern art in the US and Britain in the first half of the 20th century, encapsulating stories of key figures who believed in the art's value.
A book that explores the true stories of three average women's sex lives, characterized as gorgeously written and a brilliant concept by Rebekah Sanderlin.
A book arguing that skateboarders draw our attention to the city as the site of perpetual change.
An oral history of Bob Marley compiled by Roger Steffens, known for his deep knowledge and extensive archive of Reggae music.
A book by Kyle Harper that explores how infrastructure, economics, and culture contributed to Roman civilization's historically unusual levels of wealth and excess production, and the factors leading to its collapse.
A scientific literature by Joseph Henrich examining how biological and cultural evolution intertwine, modifying systems and demonstrating how behavioral contagion actually happens in humans.
A book by Josiah Ober focusing on how infrastructure, economics, and culture contributed to the historically unusual levels of wealth and excess production in Classical Greece, as well as its eventual demise.
A guide to designing warm, timeless interiors.
A thoroughly researched and dense book about the state of Florida, exploring parts unknown to many and planning some future travel adventures.
One of the favorite natural wine books of the author, providing insights into natural winemaking.
All about the history of power in Los Angeles.
A masterful triple-biography that also serves as a breakdown of how culture was made in the 19th century.
Influenced many mystical artists over the last 100 years and visualizes thoughts, experiences, emotions, and music in beautiful illustrations. It’s a strong foundation for the creation of metaphysical art.
This book challenges the conventional understanding of health and wellness, emphasizing the influence of culture and the concept of what is considered 'normal'.
A book covering the scenario where a company with a cash cow business struggles to innovate in ways and gets disrupted by an upstart. It explains how and why this happens through various examples and theories.
A lesser-known book that delves into corporate strategy and structure, providing insightful guidance on the strategic management process from a seasoned expert in the field.
A book by Priya Parker that discusses approaches to creating meaningful and purposeful gatherings.
A book by Vivek H. Murthy that explores the importance of human connection and its impact on our health and happiness.
A book by Chef Keith Corbin that highlights his journey and the impact of cooking and food on survival and identity.
A 50-hour interview with director Alfred Hitchcock, conducted in 1962.
One of the two books by W. David Marx, offering deep insights into cultural and style evolutions.
About how the FDA became the world's most powerful regulatory agency.
A book by Nury Turkel about the Uyghurs.
A manual gifted to the author, appreciated for its rigor.
An ode to wandering in San Francisco by former cabbie Gary Kamiya.
Joanna Scutts' book about the rise and celebration of single independent women in post-depression New York City.
A book excerpt featured in Wired provides an intriguing answer to the perception mystery related to 'the dress', suggesting that color perception might depend on whether you're an early riser or a night owl.
Leah Carroll's acclaimed memoir.
A book by Joanna Pruess discussing the popularity and various aspects of bacon, including its role in dishes like the BLT.
A recommended read for the business leader inclined, appreciated for the insights shared by Bob Iger.
One of the books by Alex from Tags & Threads featuring a combined 1000+ archival Champion products from over the last century.
Explores the subculture of football hooligans in the UK wearing expensive sportswear like Stone Island and CP Company.
The book explores the functionalities in different garments for creating art and asks the question 'is self-expression a valid function of a garment?'
Another book by Alex from Tags & Threads focusing on the historic American sportswear brand Champion.
A great exploration into the different subgenres of Caribbean music that lays out how they split and emerge as a result of different circumstances like geography, immigration, and politics.
A new book by Ed Yong, discussing the animal senses and what they reveal.
A book that challenges the conventional approach to healthcare, arguing that the role of healthcare professionals is not just to ensure health and survival but to enable well-being.
A book-length profile of Bill Bradley's time at Princeton, detailing his basketball career and academic achievements.
A book by Michael Lewis about complexity, exploring how a car in traffic serves as a simple yet powerful explanation of the concept.
A book about reframing our understanding of intelligence within a more-than-human world, covering topics from AI to the marvels of the natural world.
A 1991 book by John Sarno that argues a lot of back and neck pain originates from the mind, not the spine or other joints.
Dan Ozzi’s book delves into the major-label era that impacted punk, emo, and hardcore music from 1994 to 2007, examining bands like Green Day, Jawbreaker, and others within the cultural and ethical debates of the time.
A book that chronicles Jeff Gordinier's journey with Noma founder Rene Redzepi on a culinary world tour, including the establishment of a pop-up restaurant in Tulum, Mexico.
A book discussing the cultural tug-of-war between Hollywood and China.
Tells the story of the rise and fall of Prussia.
The story of Prohibition and its political history.
Detailing the trigonometric survey of India in the 19th century.
The story of Grigori Perelman and his solution to one of the Clay Millennium Prizes.
A treatise on new agrarianism and building societies around local economies and shared resources.
An exploration of the author's discomfort and complicity with capitalism.
Examines capitalism as the secular religion of the post-Christian era.
Explores Sicily's cultural history in the context of the Mediterranean.
A former New Yorker fiction editor's culinary journey in Italy.
This new translation of Weber’s lectures aims to simplify and clarify his ideas.
An oral biography of Anthony Bourdain, compiled by his longtime assistant.
Combines poetic writing with adventurous science exploration.
A book that discusses different aspects of engineering management, primarily focusing on systems and problem-solving within technical and engineering teams.
In his book, composer Matthew Aucoin describes opera as 'an imagined union of all the human senses and all art forms—music, drama, dance, poetry, painting.'
A powerful book about mountain climbing.
A diary-like journey of how artist David Hockney, in his eighties, uses the seasonal changes of a year in one specific place as his muse. Discusses Hockney's daily painting routine and his views on marks, photography, Monet, and Van Gogh.
A book about the development of the New York art scene in the 1950s through the lens of artists who have only recently started to receive the attention they deserve.
Tessa West's book explores difficult work relationships and how best to navigate them.
A book that keeps coming back to the author's mind.
The story of how one man's financial strategies impacted the market.
Jami Attenberg's memoir, offering insights into her life's journey with a focus on authenticity, credibility, and the validity of everyone's meandering path through life.
A book by Christopher Alexander exploring the philosophy and practical aspects of building design and construction.
A book about the first CIA teams in Afghanistan and the first death of the conflict when Mike Spann was killed in the Battle of Qala-i-Jangi prison uprising.
A biography of Marshall McLuhan that explores his life and ideas, portraying the complexities of his thoughts on technology, media, and the impacts on society. It gives insight into McLuhan's personal reservations about the rapid technological advancements and their societal implications.
A book by Henry Miller, suggested as a good read perhaps for its timely content.
A book by Jim Harrison about a Copenhagen restaurant guy turned winemaker living in France, featuring day-to-day journals of farming, tasting wines, preparing meals, and random notes.
A book that aims to enhance your cooking knowledge through a series of 100 questions, answers, and recipes.
A book by Joby Warrick on the backstory of the Khost bombings in 2009.
A book by Joby Warrick that details the use of chemical weapons on civilian populations by the Assad regime in Syria, and the US race to find and destroy the weapons.
Google’s Neil Hoyne discusses how companies often mistakenly view technology as a universal solution, detailing a better approach in his book.
A delightful read that distills art history and pop culture through pages of color palettes, revisiting history through the enlightening lens of color.
A new book by Tim Harford featuring a thought experiment about a fifty-year newspaper.
Jennifer Moss examines the true causes of burnout and what can be done about it.
The biography of John Boyd, OODA loop creator, which explores his impact on military strategy and beyond.
Michael Snyder, a leader in genomics and personalized medicine, provides a practical grounding in these fields which are set to revolutionize healthcare.
Dalio explores the rise and fall of major empires to understand the forces behind the shifting global order and offers principles for navigating future changes.
This book goes deep into the science of longevity, explaining the mechanisms that cause aging and how to slow them down for a healthier life.
A story of a man who saw America via a camper with his poodle.
Recommended for getting insight into Lebanon, specifically recommended by CJN in the post.
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A nicely illustrated book on Alpine Cooking, recently mentioned as a gift.
A cooking book by Samin Nosrat that aims to change how readers cook by focusing on the use of four elements for better results in the kitchen.
A comprehensive guide to do-it-yourself home fermentation.
Focuses on the science behind nutrition and its impact on our health, particularly useful for those with diet and health concerns like Type-1 diabetes.
David Simon's book chronicling a year spent with Baltimore's homicide unit.
Douglas Wolk reads through every single Marvel comic book and treats it as one big coherent story. This book explores the entire Marvel comics universe as a single continuous narrative.
If you want to understand how California ended up in the mess it's in, Joe Mathews' 'California Crack-up' is a must-read. It delves into the state's challenges and what led to its current situation.
From the most avant-garde jazz musicians, visual artists and poets to architects, philosophers and writers, Black Ivy: A Revolt in Style charts a period in American history when Black men across the country adopted the clothing of a privileged elite and made it their own.
Rebecca Solnit's latest book that beautifully explores George Orwell’s life and work through his little-known passion for gardening and the natural world.
A collection of essays by Siri Hustvedt, exploring various themes and showcasing her prowess as one of the greatest writers, essayists, and thinkers alive.
A curated selection of the best thinking and wisdom shared by leading voices about a historic pandemic year and how best to emerge from it.
A handbook used across various branches of the US Army and Marine Corps, detailing critical military operations and strategies.
Rich Gold explores the concept of 'toy for thought' and delves into creativity, innovation, and the art of making things.
Russell Davies shares insights linking life lessons with PowerPoint, offering an intriguing perspective on how this ubiquitous software can reflect and inform life strategies.
A detailed biography of Bob Marley, currently being read by the blog post author.
A book by Durga Chew-Bose that is currently being read by the blog post author, appreciated for its beautiful prose.
Details how traditional farming values, lost in the 1980s and 1990s, can be rediscovered to create animal husbandry more in tune with the natural world. The book highlights the beauty of sustainable agriculture through the eyes of a farmer.
A book challenging the intentions and executions by companies to “give back” and “do good”, recommending a rethinking of these notions.
A book about Bill Campbell, known as a mentor to Steve Jobs, the Google founders, and many other executives and leadership teams in Silicon Valley.
The autobiography of former Pepsico CEO Indra Nooyi, discussing leadership, mentoring, management, and family.
A book by the Rand Corporation that explores the concept of randomness through a collection of random digits and deviates.
Before his better-known work on politics, religion, and bureaucracy, Max Weber wrote his doctoral thesis on the commenda structure, translated into English in this title.
Max Weber's doctoral thesis on the commenda structure before his better-known work on politics, religion, and bureaucracy.
Autobiography of Alejandro Jodorowsky, providing insights into his philosophy and the practice of what he calls psychomagic and psychoshamanism.
A somewhat self-indulgent 90's self-help book revisited every couple of years to help release dense accumulated energies that inhibit the creative process.
A magically woven indigenous fairytale designed to expand the calcified adult mind and remind us of our watery souls.
A continuation by Mark Gonyea on themes of design, following "Complicated Doesn’t Make it Good".
A book by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton that serves as a great DJ history primer, reissued in 2006, which uses language delightfully antecedent to chopped & screwed digital music vernaculars.
A film adaptation of Terence McKenna's landmark book, 'True Hallucinations,' provides an in-depth look into his philosophies and experiences with psychedelics.
A book by Rob Walker, a longtime journalist and columnist, known for his astute observations of consumer culture.
A book series by Tove Ditlevsen, praised towards the end of reading by the author of the post.
A recently written book by Rob Walker, stemming from his newsletter and focusing on the concept and practice of noticing.
A book featuring essays on music that engages with Poptimism and the new scope of music criticism.
A single by My Chemical Romance that was highlighted as a masterpiece in the context of Poptimism.
A guidebook detailing how to travel joyfully and thoughtfully across North America.
A book the author pre-ordered, highlighting its anticipation.
A book of essays about anxiety, food, dogs, raccoons, depression, and sex.
A collection of music criticism and essays by Jessica Hopper.
A 1999 book by Ted Cohen that discusses the philosophical underpinnings of jokes, including the Shaggy dog story.
A unique memoir by Norm Macdonald, mixing tall tales with real life stories, comparing his style to Mark Twain and Hunter S. Thompson. Macdonald distorts his life through a funhouse mirror, including reimagining the 'Moth Story' in a new context. The book is described as a Matryoshka doll of Shaggy dog stories, presenting layers of stories within stories.
An oral history of the punk come-up in New York in the ‘70s, focusing on the day-to-day lives and mischief of people like Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Joey Ramone, Patti Smith, etc.
A manifesto by Eric Jarosinski, recommended alongside works by David Foster Wallace and Chuck Klosterman.
A biography that sets the record straight on a lot of historical comics stuff, providing insights into the life and legacy of Stan Lee.
A collection of essays that tell excellent stories of a world that is slowly disappearing, in this case, a wild, reckless way of life.
A new release by Matthew Specktor.
A book about the gloriously lurid look of midcentury dime store novels.
Yvon Chouinard, founder of the outdoor apparel brand Patagonia, shares his journey in creating the brand, his leadership style, and how he engages with his team. He discusses building partnerships and evolving his business with a consciousness for the environment and future of the planet.
A book that examines the essential jobs and the hidden toll of inequality in America.
A book by Julia Lovell that recalls how Nelson Mandela prepared for the ANC’s shift to armed struggle by studying Mao’s milestones in the Chinese revolution.
Written in an approachable way that even those not hardcore investors can derive some value from, with real-world examples to make it easy to understand.
This Handbook of Cities and Networks provides a cutting-edge overview of research on how economic, social and transportation networks affect processes both in and between cities. Exploring the ways in which cities connect and intertwine, it offers a varied set of collaborations, highlighting different theoretical, historical and methodological perspectives.
A book known to many software developers, based on Fred Brooks’s experiences on the System/360 operating system project.
A book showcasing American paintings from the 18th century, possibly including 'Watson and the Shark'.
A dive into old Hollywood following the lives of Jack Nicholson, Robert Evans, Roman Polanski, and more.
The story of Pixar and the creative process behind all of their work.
Brian Eno's personal work on its twenty-fifth anniversary, capturing his experiences in 1995, including the making of David Byrne’s “Outside” and U2’s “Passenger,” among profound insights.
An honest and vulnerable exploration of a complex father-daughter relationship.
A book that masterfully explains the complexities of living in LA, covering fame, homelessness, spirituality, traffic, economic inequality, and more.
Jonathan Safran Foer's most recent book is considered, thought-provoking and inspiring. It explores climate change and the human condition, urging the move from knowledge to empathy and action. It is ultimately hopeful.
Kevin Kelly's 2016 book predicting an AI distribution model that resembles OpenAI’s API access.
A book by Jia Tolentino that contains various essays, including one about drifting away from institutional religion into drugs and music.
A thoughtful, comprehensive biography of George Blake, a fascinating character who played an outsized, and deadly, role in European history.
This book by the team behind British wine magazine Noble Rot aims to explore the wine world in an engaging and less traditional manner.
Book by Nassim Taleb that discusses the essence of tinkering in the discovery of fundamentally new ideas.
A classic technology management book by Fred Brooks that discusses the intricacies of software engineering and project management.
Having spent many formative years at GE, the writer appreciates getting to review the tapes from Jeff’s perspective.
A book that explains the way your mind and your body communicate with each other in an easily digestible weekend read, offering insights beneficial across all types of applications, sporting or not.
A comprehensive guide to fermentation from the renowned Noma restaurant.
A book on fermentation techniques and recipes.
Recommended as required reading for everyone living in America today.
About the structure of the modern Senate, making dense concepts accessible.
An expose on the Sackler family.
A book by Tom Vanderbilt about being prompted by his young daughter’s learning experiences to get off the couch and try tackle a bunch of new skills.
A book by Tom Vanderbilt that makes the controversial argument that more people should be “late mergers”.
A portrayal of the struggle between the Sierra Club and Bureau of Reclamation.
A self-help book focusing on the power of interpersonal relationships and the importance of contributing to a larger community.
The book outlines the history of cyberweapons and the global cybersecurity position, highlighting NSO's role in developing surveillance tools.
A nicely illustrated book on Alpine Cooking, offering an escapist reverie of the Swiss Alps and its culinary delights.
A rich, journalistic study of the Swiss Army's role in Swiss society by Pulitzer-Prize-winning author John McPhee, written in the early 1980s.
A book on the history of cities by Ben Wilson.
A book about mathematical illiteracy and its consequences by John Allen Paulos.
A guide on plant breeding for home gardeners by Joseph Tychonievich.
A collection of interviews with film director Werner Herzog, offering insights into his unique approach to filmmaking.
A book by Peter Hessler about his journey through China from the rural countryside to the factories of the urban frontier.
A book by Adorno that helped Sasha Frere-Jones get out of a writing snag.
An account of the US-Israeli malware attack on Iranian nuclear centrifuges, detailing the use of code as a weapon and exploring the advantages of digital attacks over traditional military actions.
A book by Laura Nader exploring the concept of harmony ideology within a Zapotec Mountain Village.
A book by Alex Ross discussing the impact of Richard Wagner's work on the arts and politics.
Melissa Fay Greene takes you through the ins-and-outs of the majority-Black county electing their first Black county commissioner in the late 1970s in Praying for Sheetrock.
A dense but readable overview of cetacean societies by two biologists, exploring the fascinating world of killer whales and other sea mammals.
Robin Wall Kimmerer writes about straddling two worlds and their approaches to nature as both a botanist and a Native American, offering a series of thoughtful essays.
A fantastic book about the short-lived UK professional baseball league in 1890.
A book by H. Rap Brown being re-read for the fourth time by the author of the newsletter.
A collection of profiles of Russian people trying to navigate life in Putin's Russia.
A book from the field of Behavioural Economics, covering a great deal of theory on how people think and make decisions.
A book about how to influence people's choices while taking into account their irrationality. It's about the application of Behavioural Economics.
Mother Jones journalist Tom Philpott's assessment of the U.S. food system, described as super scary but also hopeful.
A compilation of essays from the Paris Review. It is used for casual reading, picked up at times depending on mood and theme.
To be read by the person providing the recommendations, no specific description provided.
A fascinating book on the history of slavery and sugar cane mills established by Spanish colonialists in the Dominican Republic, as well as a look at rebellions and other interesting facts.
A list of the 10 Best Books of 2020, as selected by The New York Times.
A book by Ari Herstand, used as a valuable resource for a course at The University of Michigan’s School of Music on the recording industry.
A book providing insight into the history of a preeminent quarry owner named Lilly Stone and her mansion, which plays a role in the history of the Carderock Springs area.
A book by W. Brian Arthur that outlines the evolutionary journey of technology, proposing that new technologies arise not through simple accumulation or random combination, but through an ordered process using existing technologies as components.
A logical and well-written approach to mindfulness and spirituality, reminding readers that watching their thoughts is the best way to find peace.
An account of doping in cycling, particularly focusing on the relationship between a rider’s natural body makeup and their ability to benefit from doping.
The book explores the psychological effects of vision loss and smell loss, highlighting that while patients who lost their vision were initially more traumatized, over time they acclimated more significantly than the patients who had lost their sense of smell—who, a year later, actually reported a more enduring decrease in their quality of life than the patients who had gone blind.
Described by Debbie Millman as a book that deeply fascinated her and played a part in her relationship with Roxane Gay.
An excellent book by Craig Mod, known for his writing and photography, particularly focusing on his long walks in Japan.
A memoir from the drummer of the Talking Heads. Describes life on tour with such detail, including meals eaten, clothes worn, and songs played. Highlights the island lifestyle they created while recording in the Caribbean.
A book by Hans Ulrich Obrist, offering insights into the world of art curation.
Ana Andjelic specializes in building brand-driven modern businesses and is the author of this book. She runs a weekly newsletter, The Sociology of Business, and earned her doctorate in sociology.
A memoir by the creator of Nike, Phil Knight, offering insights into his journey and the creation of the world's greatest sports brand.
A book by Yuval Noah Harari that explores the history and impact of humankind.
A book by Jason McCarthy that tells the entrepreneurial story of how he built GORUCK from scratch, emphasizing the power of community building.
A memoir by Aarti Shahani about her family coming to America, offering a critique of the impossibly stacked deck against poor immigrants.
Explores the fascinating world of trees, revealing how they communicate and support each other. Enjoyed as an audiobook by Aarti Shahani while hiking.
By 2019 Nobel prize winners in economics Ester Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee, offering insights into postcolonial modernity.
A high-level survey of American history brought to life in a new way by Jill Lepore, who is also the narrator of the audiobook version.
A book about the hidden forces that shape our world in terms of design and architecture, based on the 99% Invisible podcast.
A book by Joshua Foer that explores the art and science of remembering everything, including a segment on chicken sexing.
A book exploring the history and significance of Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2.
One of the best books on writing, emphasizing the importance of clarity.
Bonnie Tsai wrote an entire book on the joy of swimming with a special attention to the attraction of cold ocean water.
Roger Deaton’s classic book on a year swimming through Britain.
A book by Jason Boog exploring the literary scene during the Great Depression in comparison to today's.
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A book that provides insight into the art of barbecue, part of a long tradition of such guides.
A reported story about the making of John Huston’s film adaptation of The Red Badge of Courage, praised for its inventiveness.
Michael Bierut is working on an updated edition of his book which delves into the use of graphic design.
A study on the architecture and urban design of baseball stadiums, described as a love letter to the game.
A biography of Elaine Stritch, covering the life and career of the famed actress.
A memoir by Emanuel Derman focusing on his journey from studying physics at Columbia University to his life in Manhattan, encapsulating his experiences and reflections on academia and finance.
A book that explores the history of Black women in the United States, seeking to fill gaps in traditional historical narratives.
A book focusing on a strategic approach to parenting, emphasizing a nurturing and calm environment for child development.
A book that gets into the power of female friendships and their impact on successful businesses.
Examines 400 of Julius Shulman's pictures, known for his photographs of Mid-Century Modern architecture in California.
A book that chronicles the University of Colorado’s 1998 cross country season, by Chris Lear.
An academic management book and a behind-the-scenes look at some of the best restaurants of the 2010s. It explores the conditions under which great teams make new things, and is relevant for those interested in innovation in high-performance teams.
One of the books being re-read by the author.
A collection of sometimes interconnected pieces exploring facets of what it means to really be free.
Promises to be a great book, exploring the concept of blandness.
Currently being read by the author.
A book by Alice Rawsthon that emphasizes the power of design in our lives, exploring how art power can be used and abused and how it can be as powerful as other major factors in life, like politics and economy.
A book by Zadie Smith consisting of a series of essays about the experiences and reflections during the 2020 COVID-era, covering topics such as the lockdown and its implications.
The book covers the first phase of strategy's history, focusing on positioning. It talks about the experience curve, market share and whether parts of the business should be built up or sold off.
A new book by Nadia Eghbal that offers an inside look at modern open source software developers and their influence on our online social world.
An autobiography by Michelle Obama that discusses her roots and how she found her voice, as well as her time in the White House, her public health campaign, and her role as a mother.
A book by Christopher Cullen discussing the relationship between astronomy and mathematics in ancient China.
A book by Dirk L. Couprie that explores studies in ancient Greek and Chinese cosmology.
A book by Michael Loewe and Edward L. Shaughnessy covering the history of ancient China from the origins of civilization to 221 BC.
A book by Lillian Lan-ying Tseng that offers a great overview of ancient theology.
A book by Karine Chemla that provides a rigorous analysis of mathematical artifacts.
Brand adapted Frank Duffy's work into a kind of proto-pace layer framework, expanding it to six S's and noting that 'Because of the different rates of change of its components, a building is always tearing itself apart.'
A book that delves into the contemporary art world, exploring the economics and the value of art in today's market.
A book by David Deutsch that explores the power of explanations and the optimism that the universe is infinitely explorable and solvable.
Daniel Oberhaus's first book, about the art and science of interstellar communication.
A fascinating combination of WWII history and the birth of America’s obsession with French cuisine.
A book great because it's a series of essays.
One of the books currently being read.
A fascinating dissection of the rise of the selfie, and the origins of the face, from its actualization to its disconnected perversion.
A collection of conversations from the '90s between Abbas Kiarostami and film critic Godfrey Cheshire. The conversations are markedly intimate and provide context to his earlier works, all of which deal with a philosophy of life that I’m particularly drawn to.
J.E. Gordon discusses a difference in Eastern and Western approaches to stiffness, illustrating his point through various examples including Chinese sailing boats.
One of the essential reads picked up by the feature's persona.
Will Hermes, a writer at Rolling Stone, does a crazy deep dive about the years of 1973-1978, and how ALL of the different types of music being created in the city that never sleeps took music to incredible new places that — being true to the title — changed music forever.
Describing the year 1999 in movies, this is one of the recently finished reads by the feature's persona.
One of the essential reads picked up by the feature's persona.
A gripping account that weaves together speeches and interviews with civil rights leaders like Angela Davis, Stokely Carmichael, and Harry Belafonte with more recent commentary from Davis, Erykah Badu, and Talib Kweli. It covers those eight years, and many different thinkers, really effectively.
A 700-page book by British historian Simon Sebag Montefiore about the Romanovs, noted for its detailed and juicy recounting.
Bess Kalb's book, described as astonishing, evokes sobbing and laughter, reflecting on familial relationships.
A book about America’s catastrophic water planning, which touches upon the creation of the Salton Sea.
A book by Stephen Bungay that covers the history of the Battle of Britain.
A book by Stephen Bungay that explains how military processes around planning and communication can be beneficial for business leadership and execution.
Currently being read by Paul Munford, 'In Cold Blood' is noted for its masterful weave of multiple perspectives surrounding a murder.
The book is adapted from a chapter in Emanuel Derman's book, which explores the distinction between models and reality, particularly in the context of financial modeling and the consequences of confusing the model with reality.
A book by Thomas Kuhn that explores how scientific ideas emerge and the importance of paradigms in understanding scientific development.
Seems to grow in pertinence as the weeks go by, making it a committed finish for the reader.
A detailed account making its way through, not a light read.
A book featuring Noma's extensive knowledge on fermentation.
A memoir by Sarah Moss about her family's relocation from England to Reykjavik right after the 2008 financial crisis.
A book by Geoffrey West about how various entities scale, from animals to cities, and how this scaling affects or doesn't affect relationships and properties.
A book by John Stilgoe, focusing on his storytelling style and unique observations, encouraging readers to see the world in different ways.
Written by Charlotte Alter, this book follows a few millennial politicians, detailing how their upbringings in a world of student debt, Harry Potter, and the events of September 11th have shaped their personal and generational politics.
A work of serious academic history that provides a picture of the 16th-Century Mediterranean World, recommended for its revelatory and thrilling depiction of Europe and the Ottoman Empire at the time.
A recent translation of the classic fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm, which Robin Sloan has been reading and contemplates about its construction and the inimitable voice.
Ed Yong's first book, exploring bacteria and the microbiome.
Amiri Baraka's moving work that grounds the music in the black experience.
A food memoir by Ruth Reichl that delves into the nostalgia of the late 90s food publishing world.
Mogadishu is the canonical example of a feral city, as told in the book and movie Black Hawk Down.
Laura Spinney's book explores the Spanish flu of 1918 and its significant impact on the world, including its influence on nationalized health care in Europe and the systematization of collecting health data.
In 1970, James Baldwin and Margaret Mead sat down for three conversations over two days, examining the contours of the dialogue through the lens of today.
A book by Roberta Wohlstetter on the events surrounding the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Square Haunting is about five women who, between the wars, lived in London’s Mecklenburgh Square. These women, including Dorothy L Sayer and Virginia Woolf, didn't conform to societal expectations of women at the time. Francesca Wade uses the square as a unifying narrative device to explore their lives and contributions.
A book showcasing the works of Japanese interior design firm Wonderwall, highlighting their contributions to retail and interior design across iconic shop spaces worldwide.
A digital copy of the book checked out from the Brooklyn Public Library.
Anand Giridharadas examines the paradox of meaningful transformation and the role of 'Powerpoint as the technology of the status quo'.
A collection of enjoyable funny essays from Josh Gondelman.
Heather Armstrong explained mental illness in ways never seen articulated before, walking the reader into her darkness and the extreme measures and risks she took to come out of it.
Ian Leslie's book offers a graph to describe the relationship between knowledge and curiosity, emphasizing the importance of being curious for future success.
Sharon Salzburg’s book on mindfulness and loving kindness.
A book by Sayadaw U Pandita on liberation teachings.
Rosemary Gladstar’s guide to herbs for children’s health.
Taiichi Ohno's 1988 book that explains his simple approach to doing root cause analysis known as 'the five whys', a method that helped revolutionize manufacturing and defined the car market in the 1970s and 1980s.
A phenomenal read with incredible reporting and juicy details about Instagram, as per Taylor Lorenz.
A fine-tuned look at the meaning, use, and value of wit.
A book by Deming that discusses the economics of government, industry, and education, and warns against the myth that everything must be measured to be managed.
A book that explores the science of cause and effect, recommended for helping people understand day-to-day conflicts in how to interpret evidence.
Kyle Chayka's book on minimalism, focusing on the challenge of using words to describe minimalism and how writing about emptiness documents presence, highlighting the intricate relationship between language and the concept of less.
Walter Ong's book that dives into the specific impacts of language on society, exploring how writing has transformed human consciousness more than any other technology.
A memoir that breaks the conventional narrative style to tell the story of a woman's experience in an abusive same-sex relationship, using a mix of literary genres and devices to convey the complexity of her emotions and the relationship dynamics.
A book by Randall Munroe that explores absurd hypothetical questions with serious scientific answers.
A collection of illustrated letters from artists and architects, featuring correspondences from figures such as Gio Ponti, Edith Schloss, Miné Okubo, and Alfred J. Frueh.
In New Dark Age, James Bridle discusses the rising levels of turbulence we are experiencing both in the air and on the ground, in the form of cultural unpredictability.
Landmark book by Betty Friedan that sparked second-wave feminism by articulating the malaise that many women felt in relation to their limited role in society.
A book on 19th-century scientist Alexander Von Humboldt, written by Andrea Wulf.
A book that explores the history of cooking across various empires, including the spread of stuffed and boiled dumplings from the Mongol Empire.
An exploration into the controversial history of HeLa cells, used widely in scientific research, and the story of Henrietta Lacks and her family.
An evocative narrative about the bohemian lifestyle of surfers.
A colorful history of the precious artifact, examining the intricacies of ownership by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple.
A book by Steven Pinker that argues the world is significantly better, safer, and healthier than it's ever been.
A book exploring overthinking through charts and questions.
A new book on AI exposing its limits.
A book by Argentine chef Francis Mallmann that outlines not only grilling techniques and tactics but also views on a life well lived, engaging the senses in cooking.
An amazing 12-part series on Dennis Rodman’s insane basketball achievements.
A book by Rex Sorgatz that explores the world of misinformation, counterfeits, confabulations, and various other deceptions.
A book by Columbia University sociologist William McPhee, exploring a polling phenomenon related to movie and television stars—specifically, the correlation between a star's popularity and public favorability.
A book by Don Norman about user experience and design principles.
A book by Byron Sharp about ownable brand assets and the value of unique assets to a brand.
Francis Mallmann, an Argentine chef master of grilling over open flames, shares his expertise in Seven Fires: Grilling the Argentine Way.
In 2017, John McPhee came out with a book called Draft No. 4 which outlined his writing process, including his unique approach to outlining his stories.
A book exploring the grandeur and architectural marvels of Soviet Metro stations, extending beyond the well-known Moscow Metro to other systems across the Soviet states.
A book by Michael Cox covering the history and evolution of soccer tactics.
An annual report providing analysis on the state of the pizza industry.
A publication for professionals in the laundromat and laundry services industry.
A quarterly trade journal for pasta producers that covers the global pasta manufacturing industry.
A book written by the physicist John Rigden that tells the story of one of the most prolific years in scientific history.
Daniel Markovits's commencement speech at Yale Law School, which critiques the meritocracy system, turned into a book.
Philip Tetlock outlines the problem of forecasting, explaining that the approach of hedgehogs (applying a single worldview) is less accurate than foxes (using many inputs). His research has found an inverse correlation between fame and accuracy among experts, particularly highlighting how hedgehogs, despite their confidence and simplicity, are often less reliable forecasters.
A primer on systems thinking that explains the relationship between structure and behavior, helping to understand how systems work, what makes them produce poor results, and how to shift them into better behavior patterns.
Sean Carroll's book about the many-worlds interpretation of quantum physics.
A book by David Bayles and Ted Orland exploring the way art gets made, the reasons it often doesn't get made, and the nature of the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way.
A book noted by Maura O'Connor that explores how the use of navigation tools like GPS affects the human brain, with insights into the implications for conditions like PTSD and Alzheimer’s disease.
A book reflecting on the experience of financial backing Woodstock, discussing the transformation of rock festivals and the 'Me Generation' that emerged afterwards.
The book that kickstarted the conversation around influencers in marketing, with the story of Hush Puppies' sudden resurgence as a starting point.
A book on machine learning techniques offering insight into how algorithms are shaping our understanding and interaction with the digital world.
A book by Atossa Araxia Abrahamian that delves into the global business of buying and selling passports and the implications of citizenship, examining global inequality through the perspectives of those with and without powerful passports.
A deep dive into the controversial world of renditions, black sites, and a world beneath the surface.
One of the earliest pieces of reporting on drones, morality, and their implications for geopolitics.
Evan Osnos' book detailing his eight years living in Beijing, focusing on Asia and including geopolitical coverage.
A book by Ken Dornstein about the brother of one of the Lockerbie Bombing victims cracking the case.
A book exploring the mystery of experience and humanity’s best working explanations, spending many pages on the theory of panpsychism.
A contrarian book discussing the positive aspects of nature's adaptation to human impact, suggesting an era of evolution amidst extinction.
Joanne McNeil's book about the transformation of people into users in the digital landscape.
David Epstein's book 'Range' offers an interesting take on why experts have been so wrong so often, starting with the story of Paul Ehrlich and 'The Population Bomb'.
'The Population Bomb' by Paul R. Ehrlich is mentioned in David Epstein's discussion on the common inaccuracies of expert predictions.
Doug Rushkoff discusses technology making us lonely and the need to 'find the others' in his latest book.
A book by David Grann about a solo Antarctic expedition in the spirit of Ernest Shackleton.
A collection of some of David Grann's most amazing pieces, including true crime stories.
A book by David Grann which is his most famous work, detailing the legendary British explorer Percy Fawcett's quest to find a lost city in the Amazon.
A book of 'haikus' by Kimi Raikkonen, published by Mission Winnow.
A book by David Grann about the murders of the Osage people in Oklahoma, related to oil deposits under their land in the early 20th century.
A book made up of the last articles and photographs from journalists who were killed doing their jobs. It features a cover design comprised of the names of 1,337 dead journalists, with white space representing the words they will never write.
A collection of essays and talks given by author Philip Pullman, offering insight for anyone that produces narratives.
Building a Second Brain is a course by Tiago Forte that promises to help you learn how to capture, organize, and retrieve your ideas and insights using digital notes. It offers a systematic approach and tools that you can trust to support creative breakthroughs in your work.
A book by Neil Postman about the reduction of everything to entertainment.
A book about what happens to things we get rid of and how it impacts consumer identity and values.
A fascinating academic history documenting drastic changes in attitudes towards dogs over the last two hundred years in the United Kingdom, highlighting the social and cultural inventiveness behind modern dog breeds.
A book that came out a few years after Senge’s famous book about organizational learning, filled with essays and frameworks for thinking, problem solving, and organizational design.
A book by James C. Scott that discusses how states must develop means to make their domains 'legible' to manage resources, run bureaucracies, and tax citizens effectively. The book dives into the consequences of these efforts, such as the imposition of harmful monocultures, through examples like 18th-century Prussian forestry and 17th-century French cadastral mapping.
A book by science journalist Philip Ball, exploring the challenges in understanding and talking about quantum mechanics.
Wright writes a personal narrative around Texas, highlighting its changing demographics and significant role in the American story.
One of the smartest books about radical Islam, providing a comprehensive history.
Often cited in discussions about the 2016 US presidential election, it's a memoir that explores the author's Appalachian upbringing and its broader implications on American society.
A memoir about growing up in an ultra-religious Mormon household that was completely disconnected from the outside world, leading to Westover's escape through education.
A memoir by Astrid Holleeder about her life and the struggles she faced with her brother, a notorious criminal in Amsterdam, and her decision to help put him away.
Douglas McGregor's classic book that introduced Theory X and Theory Y of Management and incorporated Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
A book about the blend of quantitative and qualitative judgement in baseball, discussing the convergence between scouts and scorers in the sport.
The book describes the shift in strategy in basketball with the advent of data-intensive technology and new insights, leading to a new playing strategy focused on the value of three-pointers and layups.
A book by Jaron Lanier discussing the impact of social media and advocating for quitting social media platforms.
A writing guide by the copy chief of Random House.
A book by Patrick Radden Keefe about murder and memory in Northern Ireland, exploring the depth of sectarian conflict, terror, retribution, and prison.
The story of one of the highest level KGB defectors who worked with MI6 for years, resembling a real-life John Le Carre novel.
A book that explores the reasons why some nations develop and prosper while others lag behind.
A book by Andy Grove that opens with a story about operating a kitchen not entirely dissimilar to Balthazar, using the 'Breakfast factory' as a theme to explain the fundamentals of systems theory and supply chains.
David Epstein explores the science of athleticism, delving into genetics and how various factors influence sports performance.
This book by Stewart Brand discusses concepts of long-term thinking and responsibility, with insights into digital and physical preservation.